We’re pleased to announce our original total was more than 100 shy of how many masks we’ve produced! In addition, we’re reaching out to more organizations within the community to offer our masks. But we need your help to keep going.

From our Costume Director Micheal Waid Heath:

“Many of you know that the Dallas Theater Center costume shop has taken up mask making for our local medical professionals, et al. We’ve been building for several weeks now.

We’re approaching the point of dwindling resources so I’m reaching out to anyone that might be willing to donate to our cause. Right now, I only need fabric. But that fabric needs to be 100% cotton. I’d also accept non-woven meltblown fabric with a low micron rating. (Dream big, right?)

This could take the form of fabric yardage or bedsheets (newish, no stains). I can not accept t-shirts or other forms of clothing.

If you, or a family/friend, have something sitting around that you don’t want and are willing to give or send to us, let me know and I’ll message you directly with an address.

At this point we’ve donated to the Oncology Center at Texas Presbyterian Dallas, Cook’s Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth, JPS Hospital in Ft. Worth, and UT Southwestern Medical Center. We’ve also made some for our friends, family, and upcoming will supply our staff. I will be reaching out to various homeless shelters in the Dallas area to evaluate their needs.”

If you or family or friends have something they’d like to give, please email our Costume Director Micheal Waid Heath at micheal.waid@dallastheatercenter.org. He will provide you with an address to send your materials.

Thank you to all who donate fabric or money. We appreciate all your help. We’ll continue making masks as long as we can. And we look forward to seeing you all in the theater again.

“I didn’t initially jump at the chance to make cotton masks. Safety concerns revolving around the use of reusable masks versus disposable masks dominated the initial discussion,” said Micheal Waid Heath, Costume Director, Dallas Theater Center. “I spoke with many people, including other costumers about alternative ways to create masks and medical professionals regarding safety.

So far we’ve made about 300 masks and 300 more are in the works. The masks were donated to Texas Oncology Presbyterian Cancer Center of Dallas and John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. We got an unexpected boost to our efforts and our hearts when we received a huge donation of nose clips from SMART Local Union No. 67 in San Antonio.

When the stay-at-home orders went into place, Waid and our team got to work, and have been working diligently since. They’re using sheets and clothing to make the masks along with more traditional materials. The Costume Department, along with members of the Production Department, the Dallas Opera, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and other Dallas Theater Center staffers and board members have joined the cause. An effort Director of Production, Bryan White, plans to continue.

“During this time, it has been important for our entire Production Department to find unique ways to continue to contribute to the organization and our community, even while staying safe at home,” White said.

Thanks to help from Waid, soon more people will be able to make their own masks. We’re making a step-by-step guide for our YouTube channel. Staff members will make masks for as long as there is need and materials allow. We will continue to create ways to support the North Texas community wherever we can. We’re so grateful for your continuing support.

While we shelter-in-place, we’re looking forward to the future. Dallas Theater Center staff is virtually meeting with playwrights, actors, and directors. We’re making plans to keep bringing you the best theater in Dallas. We know next season is going to be inspiring, hopeful and a celebration of human connection.